New England Patriots news, rumors and injuries

New England Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo took some first-team reps at training camp Saturday, Aug. 1. QB Tom Brady worked with the starters during every period of practice, but Garoppolo took a "few snaps," according to James Palmer of NFL Media.

Fantasy Tip: Garoppolo had time with all the top-tier receivers, including some goal-line work. With Brady's status for the first four weeks of the season up in the air, Garoppolo could very well be a FantasyScore option to begin the season.

Fantasy Tip: Blount started camp on the Non-Football Injury list but was able to pass his conditioning test. Blount should receive a majority of the carries this season and could be a middle-round draft choice even though he will miss the first game of the season.

Updating an ongoing story, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady's suspension resolution case could be finalized before the start of the 2015 regular season. Documents show the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed this would be in the best interest of both parties. However, any ruling would be subject to appeal.

New England Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower (shoulder) is optimistic after the first day of training camp Thursday, July 30. Hightower said everything is going in the right direction, but there's no timetable for when he will be cleared for full contact. Hightower underwent shoulder surgery earlier this offseason.

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady received all of the repetitions with the first-team offense during practice Thursday, July 30, and completed 27 of his 30 passes during team drills.

Fantasy Tip: Brady is currently suspended for the first four games of the regular season, but he is looking to have the suspension eliminated. Brady should be a starting quarterback in fantasy leagues this season, but owners will want a strong backup in case Brady does have to miss the first four games.

Fantasy Tip: Garoppolo could be the team's starting quarterback for the first four games of the season if Tom Brady is not able to reverse his suspension. Garoppolo will have training camp to improve his play and should see a lot of time during the preseason. Garoppolo probably will not be a starting option against most teams but could be used against a favorable matchup.

New England Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount was placed on the Non-Football Injury list because he was not able to complete the conditioning test at the start of training camp. Players have to run 20 sprints of 50 yards in under eight seconds to pass the test, but Blount was only able to complete 12 reps.

Fantasy Tip: Blount likely will be activated at some point during camp when he improves his conditioning. Blount is the leading candidate to receive most of the carries this season and could be a middle-round option in drafts if he is in good shape.

Fantasy Tip: The Minnesota judge had a history of siding with the players, but that maneuver appears to have been foiled. Brady is a midrange QB1 if he receives an injunction that delays his suspension and a low-end QB1 if it stands.

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady has filed a lawsuit against the NFL asking a Minnesota federal court for penalties against Brady to be vacated. The suit alleges that Brady's punishment was not fair and consistent. It also claims that the appeal hearing "defied any concept of fundamental fairness" and that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was partial in his decision to uphold the suspension.

Fantasy Tip: Brady can seek an injunction that will delay his suspension and allow him to play while the case is ongoing. In this best-case scenario, Brady is atop the midrange QB1 options.

Fantasy Tip: Blount is already suspended for the first game of the season, and he is expected to be available for the remaining 15 games. He should be the Patriots' lead back after Week 1 and is worth at least drafting as a RB3.

Updating previous reports, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady posted on Facebook that he replaced his broken phone with a new one after his attorneys told the NFL "my actual phone device" would not be investigated. His representatives turned over requested cell phone records and emails, Brady said, and tried to obtain text messages from his old phone.

Fantasy Tip: Brady could draw this out in court and not miss a game this season. If that occurs, he'd fall right under the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks. However, missing our games keeps him out until Week 6 and makes him a weak No. 1.

Updating a previous report, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady could have had his suspended reduced based on a series of conditions. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL was willing to drop the suspension by "at least 50 percent" if Brady admitted to having knowledge of what the team's staff was doing to footballs, he admitted to failing to cooperate with the Ted Wells investigation and he apologized.

Fantasy Tip: Brady could have had his suspension reduced two or three games, but it appears this case will be headed before a federal judge.